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Are You Eligible to Claim Compensation For A Merging Traffic Accident Injury?

Often one of the most common manoeuvres on the roads, merging traffic seems at first glance to be a fairly simple part of driving. However, it does often lead to issues, where someone has merged into your lane without due care and the attention it requires to perform such a manoeuvre, or where another driver has been negligent when merging lanes occurs. Car accidents due to merging are often seen on our roads, and abroad and the range of different types of merging traffic injury is vast, ranging from minor injuries that clear up in a relatively short space of time to those that can never fully be recovered from. If you’ve suffered with a merging traffic injury due to the fault of another driver or road user, did you know that you can claim for compensation to cover costs you’ve incurred as well as an award from the pain and the suffering you have borne as a result?

Here, we explain how a merging accident can lead to a personal injury claim, and what we can do to help you get one started. If you would prefer to call our legally trained advisors, then dialling 0800 073 8801 is the way to go. If you’d like to read all about these type of personal injury claims, including how we can help in the fight for merging accident compensation, then scroll down and click on the most appropriate section to tell you what you need to know.

Our Guide – Merging Traffic Injury Claims

There are many ways in which things can go wrong on the roads, and most of these are caused by errors of judgement or excessive speed. One manoeuvre that can commonly go wrong on the roads is, however, when it comes to merging traffic. It sounds relatively simple to do, simply changing lanes of traffic, but sometimes, either due to a misjudgement of speed, another driver’s poor temperament on the roads, or a moment of lapsed concentration, it can cause a car accident, and if this has happened to you, you’ll know only too well that it is not just the state of your car that is impacted.

Merging traffic accident

Accidents caused by merging traffic can cause a whole host of injuries, and whether you were rear ended while merging, or a car hit you while changing lanes, if it was not due to your fault, but that of another road user, then it may be the case that you should claim for merging traffic injury compensation.

In this guide, we set out the answers to the most commonly asked questions, as well as discussing some facts you may wish to know, such as:

What is the personal injury claims time limit?

Who is at fault in a car accident changing lanes?

Acar hit me while changing lanes – can I lodge a claim?

Is there a personal injury claims calculator I can use to see how much I’d get?

How do I find the best merging traffic personal injury solicitor?

There is a lot of information regarding typical payment amounts for certain injuries also contained within this guide, but if there is information that we have not covered, simply call our team and we’ll be glad to clarify anything you need to know.

What Are the Most Frequent Accidents Due to Merging Traffic?

‘A car merged into my lane and hit me – can I hold them liable?’ – This is one of the questions we are asked a lot and our answer is that it a common occurrence, more common than a lot of people would believe. The other situation in which merging traffic injury can be caused is when a driver aggressively moves to keep their place in traffic, effectively trying to block a merge and causing danger to other road users.

Another way in which merging accidents can be caused is if the driver looking to change lanes fails to judge the speed or the distance they have in which to merge, or tries to merge when the traffic is moving too fast.

Each and every case is taken on its own merit, and it is not always clear to the uninitiated if they are at fault or if the other driver is. This is why it is essential to have legal assistance when looking to make a claim, as people who have dealt with this kind of situation several times before will be in a better position to judge who is actually at fault, ensuring that the case is properly put forwards to those that can fight for compensation for the wronged party.

Merging Traffic and The UK Highway Code

If you’re involved in a merging accident, who is at fault becomes a pressing question. When you look at the UK Highway Code, more specifically rule 134 says that ‘in turn’ merge manoeuvring is recommended as a driving technique, however the watchwords here are that it should only be done when it is safe and appropriate to perform this manoeuvre. This type of manoeuvre should only be done when the traffic is very slow moving. It is also accepted that the vehicle changing lanes should ensure they give right of way to road users that are in lane. The rule before this one, 133, requires lane changing to only be done when a driver uses extreme care, attention and caution. The rule requires mirrors to be checked very carefully, and the driver should look sideways to make sure that other road users aren’t forced to change their course or their speed.

Every merging opportunity or requirement should be taken on its own merits. A driver should ensure they rely on their common sense and experience, in order to ascertain if it is wise for them to merge, or whether they could be better off prioritising other vehicles in an established lane.

A solid example of this would be when the flow of traffic was very slow, and no other road user would have to change their speed in the merge. In this situation, taking a turn should be the appropriate thing to do.

However, sometimes, in some situations, this can become sort of a silent battle, as some road users do not want to effectively ‘give up’ their place in the traffic. This sometimes means that they speed up in order to ‘keep their spot’ The vehicle then trying to make the merge in to accelerate or decelerate, causing a merge in turn accident and making for perilous situations for not only the two vehicles involved, but also other users of the same road. This is how an accident caused by merging traffic can happen.

Road Accident When Changing Lanes On A Motorway?

Should you be asking about a merging lanes car accident, am I at fault, it makes a difference what road you’re on as well as who moved how fast and when. Changing lanes on the motorway should in theory be pretty simple, but the speeds on the motorways mean that if it goes wrong, the consequences can be very dangerous indeed. Travelling at a slightly faster speed when you merge means that if the manoeuvre is unsafe, then the damage to cars and people can be more complex and far reaching. A road accident while changing lanes on a motorway can cause untold damage to cars and people involved.

Smart motorways are one of commonest places for a merging manoeuvre to go wrong. If your lane has an X above it, then you should not be, according to the letter of the law, so if you are involved in an accident because of this, it is likely that you would be seen at fault. However, many drivers are not properly educated on how to use a smart motorway, which means that not everyone is using the smart motorway as intended.

A Car Hit Me While Changing Lanes, Can I Lodge a Claim for Merging Compensation?

If you’re asking about an accident caused by merging, then it’s important to remember that standards are set by the UK Highway code, as mentioned previously. As per the previous paragraph, the answer to this questions largely relates to who was at fault. For example, if you were trying to speed up quickly to avoid someone merging into your lane, then you may be seen as at fault, and therefore it is unlikely you would be able to launch your claim. However, should the other driver be driving dangerously or negligently while merging, and you could not avoid him hitting you, then it is more than likely to lead to you pursuing a successful merging traffic injury claim.

What Should You Do After A Merging Traffic Injury?

In the aftermath of merging traffic accidents, it can be difficult to think straight let alone ask about an accident while changing lanes who is at fault. UK-wide, whether you think you’d like to take a claim forward or not, or are unsure who is at fault after merging traffic accidents, there are certain steps you should follow to make sure you have all bases covered. Initially, you will want to seek medical attention. This is vital, even if you’ve what you feel are only minor injuries. With certain injuries, initially, you may not feel so bad but they may cause you more problems down the line if you don’t get them checked out properly. You should also consider taking photographs on your phone of the scene and any visible injuries you have received as a result. You should also, as with any road accident, try to get the details of those involved and those that witnessed the event. Finally, make sure to keep any proof you have of any financial costs you have had to bear, such as medical bills, or travel costs to medical appointments etc, or even prescription charges. These may serve as evidence of the financial outlay you’ve had to bear. Finally, you should call us. We can offer you some free advice on your situation as well as helping you should you be ready to claim for merging accident injury compensation.

How to Start A Merging Accident Compensation Claim

Daunting though it may be to the uninitiated, claiming is relatively simple, especially when you have Accident Claims to help you. An initial telephone conversation between you and a member of our team will allow us to weed out all the facts about what has happened to you. This is your chance to tell us what has happened to you and tell us how it has affected you, and we’ll have the utmost sympathy for your situation. We’ll explain what happens next and you’ll be fully informed about how the process works before you decide whether making a claim is something you want to do. Should you be ready to get started, a member of our team will find the most appropriate solicitor to handle your merging accident injury claim, and the solicitor will more than likely arrange then for you to have an appointment with a medical expert who will compile a report for your case. This can usually be arranged at a place that is convenient for you to get to. Once the report is received, your allocated solicitor can start to progress your claim, and get you the compensation you deserve.

What Can You Claim For After A Merging Accident?

Quite a number of people we’ve helped previously only thought that a compensation award was for the pain they’d experienced, when in fact there are other factors that make up their award – some of which they had had no idea they could even claim for. Most merging traffic injury effects require a person to be off work while they recover, which can lead to loss of income. This can be claimed for should you pursue a claim. Also, if you were not able to return to your job, perhaps because of reduced mobility, an award for future loss of your earnings may also be required. This would also apply if you should have to take further time off for operations, recovery and the like. Add that to any medical costs you have borne because of your injuries, as well as travel costs, and you can see it begins to get more complex. Another cost you might have had to bear is having someone care for you. They can put in a claim to for costs of caring for you. Should you have incurred costs we have not mentioned, then we can advise you over the phone if you’d be able to recoup these. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for more information regarding this issue – we are always happy to clarify any details of making a claim.

One of the most likely questions asked by those who have suffered merging traffic injury, aside from ‘I had a merging accident, who is at fault, is how much of a compensation award their case is likely to achieve. This is a tricky question for anyone to answer as there will be certain variations between injuries, the effect it has had on you as well as your future prognosis. See below for some guideline amounts for certain injuries, but please do remember that amounts will vary based on your own unique set of circumstances and injury. One person may receive more should their future work prospects be restricted by their injuries, should they have had a physical job for example, whereas if you can carry on doing your job, even if you’ve received the same injury, you may receive slightly less.

Injury Type

Explanation

Common Payment Bracket

Finger Injuries

Everything from damage to nails (torn away) or soft tissue to the loss of multiple fingers

Up to £21,910

Thumb Injuries

Everything from torn off nails and damage to tissues to the complete loss of a thumb

Up to £48,080

Injuries to a person’s hand

Abrasions, cuts and damage to soft tissues

£800 - £3,810

Injuries to a person’s hand

Cuts that are deeper and may need you to have surgery (lacerations)

£5,110 - £11,640

Injuries to a person’s hand

Crush injures to the hand which leave you with less function until healing is complete

£12,670 -£25,430

Injuries to a person’s hand

These leave the hand with a 50% lower functionality

£25,430 -£54,280

Factures to the arm (simple)

Usually on the forearm’s shorter bones

£5,810 - £16,830

Fractures to the arm (Acute)

Several fractures that leave a person with lower functionality of the arm in the future

£34,340 -£52,490

Injuries to a person’s toe

From moderate to an injury that leads to one or more than one toe being amputated

Up to £18,480

Injuries to the leg (minor)

Minor breaks/fractures, tissue damage, and/or sprains

Up to £10,380

Injuries to the leg (Serious)

Long-term immobility is usually the result of several complex/serious fractures

£34,370 - £48,080

Injuries to the Neck

From minor sprains to long term damage that will permanently affect the individual

Up to £130,060

As you can see, there are only so many injuries we can cover here and each will depend on the prognosis and effect it has had on your life as to the amount you’ll be awarded. Should you wish to clarify any aspect of this, then we’ll be happy to speak to you about it should you wish to call our team.

Accident Caused By Merging Traffic No Win No Fee Claims

Claiming compensation isn’t always the first thing people think of when they have merging traffic injury, but at some point, after the dust settles, they should. After all, they have been put out of pocket financially because of their accident – and it was not even their fault. The good news is, that merging traffic injury claims can often be done for No win No Fee. This is often great news to those who otherwise would not be able to afford legal fees – nothing will be payable as legal fees until a compensation award is given, and then it will be deducted from the final amount you will receive, as a percentage that will be discussed before you decide to go ahead. Want to know more? Then we’ll be happy to explain. Just call us with your questions – we’re ready and able to answer them.

Contact Accident Claims UK Today

Now that you are more aware of the ins and outs of making merging traffic injury claims, you will more than likely want to start searching for a personal injury lawyer that can help you. However, you don’t have to look far to find experienced, knowledgeable professionals in merging lanes case law. We can provide you with a solicitor who has handled merging traffic injury claims before and that can fight for the compensation required to ensure your needs are taken care of. The solicitors we can provide you with work hard to secure the most compensation possible for each and every claim they handle, and they can do this for you too. Why not call 0800 073 8801 to discuss your options with our team, who will quickly and seamlessly arrange for your claim to be taken forward with the most appropriate solicitors for the job. If you don’t have time to talk at the moment, then filling in the form online can ensure you don’t forget to pursue your case, or you could always mail us at office@accidentclaims.co.uk instead. There’s no time like the present to begin claiming what you deserve for your merging traffic injury.